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The original item was published from 10/7/2021 7:32:15 AM to 10/2/2022 12:00:01 AM.

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Emergency Preparedness

Posted on: October 7, 2021

[ARCHIVED] Why Social Networks Should Not Be Your Main Source Of Receiving Important Alerts And Warning Systems

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On Monday, October 4th, 2021, social media networks of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp stopped working shortly before noon ET. Server error messages appeared on the various sites for nearly six hours causing billions of users to be left in the dark without these particular forms of communication. 

Southern Marin Fire District would like to remind all residents that in an emergency situation, social channels should never be your primary source of information. Be prepared to monitor multiple communication sourcesfor fire & life safety information. Emergency managers will use several methods to distribute fire and life safety information: Alert Marin, Nixle, local TV and radio are the primary outlets. Verified agency social media channels such as Facebook, Twitter, and NextDoor are used as secondary means of communication. However, don't neglect to use your own senses - look, listen, and smell for signs of fire and changing conditions!

New for 2021, the Public Emergency Portal of Marin County will be your trusted source of information for emergency preparedness and response.  The purpose of this website is to connect our Marin County community with resources to plan for the emergency and know what to do in case of the emergency. Visit www.emergency.marincounty.org .

In conjunction with the new Public Emergency Portal, the Marin County Sheriff’s Office, along with all Marin municipalities and the Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority, have launched a new web-based evacuation mapping tool and “Know Your Zone” campaign to help county residents and businesses be better prepared for the next evacuation or emergency.

Steps To Know Your Zone:

1) Familiarize yourself with your evacuation zone. by visiting the County of Marin's Emergency Portal website: http://emergency.marincounty.org (click evacuation tab) and enter your address in the "Search Your Address or Zone" bar.

Mobile friendly link: https://community.zonehaven.com/

2) Subscribe to AlertMarin.org . Emergency officials send communications out via Alert Marin regarding what zones will need to be evacuated during a disaster.

For preparedness resources, please visit www.smfd.org/our-district/prevention/preparedness

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